Author(s): Phanupong Chaiwongsaen, Sitthisak Pinmongkhonkul, Warach Madhayamapurush
The study of species diversity of fireflies in the Ban Bua agricultural area, Ban Toon sub-district, Muang district, Phayao province was conducted from October, 2018 to October 2019 with the objective to study on the species diversity of fireflies, physical factors and biological factors having effects on the species diversity in the Ban Bua agricultural area. Firefly samples were collected accounting for 100 adult fireflies by using the line transect sampling method in the area of 5 stations with different environments. From the study on 76 fireflies out of 100 fireflies which could be categorized, it was found that all of the fireflies belonged to subfamily Luciolinae consisting of 8 genus, namely Abscondita (1 firefly), Aquatica (2 fireflies), Asymmetricata (7 fireflies), Luciola (12 fireflies), Medeopteryx (18 fireflies), Pygoluciota (5 fireflies), Sclerotia (24 fireflies) and Triangulara (7 fireflies). The first three species of fireflies found the most were Sclerotia seriata (21 fireflies: 27.63%), Medeopteryx sp. (18 fireflies: 23.62%) and Luciola curtithorax (12 fireflies : 15.79%). Regarding the assessment result from the species diversity index of the fireflies, factors, physical factors and biological factors, it was found that forest areas at the edge of the canal near the reservoir were suitable for species diversity and abundance of fireflies whereby the values of the species diversity index, the species richness index, the evenness index and the species abundance were equal to 1.525, 1.500, 0.450 and 91.667 respectively. The species diversity and abundance of fireflies were found mostly in natural conditions with rather good environmental quantities. Conservation planning consisted of participatory plan preparation of the community based on geographical maps and promotion development to be learning resources and ecological tourist attractions with 2 steps of management: 1) At the initial stage, prepare a handbook of knowledge regarding fireflies, maps and the life cycle having an effect on ecoscape, including using the location for study tour of the youth in Phayao province on ecotourism; 2) Make arrangement for promoting tourist attractions through presenting on online social media and using influencers in presenting tourist attractions.